Canastra looks like any other casual boteco on the back streets of Rio

At first glance, Canastra looks like any other casual boteco on the back streets of Rio: sidewalk tables with a crowd milling about with drinks and snacks. But the food here is also outstanding, and the drink of choice is wine: perhaps unsurprising given that it’s run by a trio of Frenchmen.

Their goal is to create a lively eating and drinking space without the pretension and high prices of so many other Rio locales. Its an admirable success. Come on Tuesdays for fresh oysters (a fine deal at R$40 a dozen).